Captured snake adopted

It was probably not the most cuddly pet to put up for adoption, but the Humane Society of Yuma has found a home to take in a wandering Yuma snake.

The 9-foot-long Burmese python was discovered at the home of Terry Page in the 900 block of South 8th Avenue on Independence Day by his daughter, Jennifer. The snake was donated to a private Yuma resident, said Shanen Aranmor, HSOY spokeswoman.

HSOY dispatched animal control officers to the adoptive residence for a home visit to determine the suitability of the individual to care for the animal, Aranmor said.

"By last Friday, we had one of two options: transfer the snake to either the Phoenix or the Salt Lake City Rescue, which takes in snakes. But then this volunteer stepped forward. He had a terrarium (snake habitat) set up and has one other snake, so he's familiar with the care of them and really enjoys snakes."

The snake captured at the Page home by the Yuma Fire Department and HSOY was probably a pet because it was in good condition, Aranmor said. HSOY assumed if its previous owner had lost the snake, HSOY would have been contacted, Aranmor noted.

The snake had evidently eaten before its capture and there was no need to feed it while in HSOY care because they do not need to be fed every day. HSOY did provide fresh water and kept it sequestered from the other shelter animals. However, "it did make our dispatcher a little nervous because we kept it in the control office where she works," said Aranmor.

This is not the first snake HSOY has taken in, although it is the largest. Typically, the organization does not render care for reptiles, Aranmor said. While they have boarded horses and potbellied pigs, probably their most unusual guest has been a llama, she added.

For pet owners who want to keep a python, it should be kept under close supervision because they are known  as "escape artists," Aranmor cautioned.

"If you keep them as pets, they should not be left unattended with other animals or children."

Anybody who has a snake that can no longer be cared for may contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department or the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, she added.

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William Roller can be reached at
wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.